Monday, 9 April 2007

On 19 Feb 2007 the anti-conversion bill became law in the Indian state of Himachael Pradesh. The reoccurrence of this ‘official’ persecution, which was on the decline last year, poses a mounting threat to Christians.

Bible League’s National Director in India reports that anti-gospel activists are becoming stronger. Recently, a Bible League church planter was beaten by a mob and had his left hand broken.

These threats, however, have not stopped Indians from seeking God’s Word. “There are hundreds of thousands of people who want to know more about Jesus Christ,” reports Bible League’s National Director in India. Bible League’s strategic Bible study program which combines evangelism with discipleship ensures that seekers are ‘followed up’.

“It is remarkable to note that Bible League training and Scriptures are being used from the highest inhabited village in the Himalayan Mountains to churches on the mud flats of the Ganges River delta,” says the National Director.

Last year, there were 331, 494 Indians who completed the Project Philip Bible study program and 1,149,554 Scriptures were placed. Nearly 100,000 new believers were baptised and committed to the church. In Himachal Pradesh alone, known for being the home of the Dalai Lama, Bible League’s ministry has grown three times compared to the year before.

New ministry has been developing in the northern Hindi belt as well as among Muslim communities. India has the third largest population of Muslims in the world. They need God’s Word and many are eager to know about Jesus.

“I heard about Jesus years and years ago. At that time, I asked where I might find this man Jesus. Someone said, ‘Oh, I think he is from the next town.’ Another man said, ‘Maybe he is selling in the marketplace…’ For such a long time I looked and looked but no one could explain Him to me,” testifies a new believer in India.

Will you help people in India find Jesus? It is estimated that if the number of Christians in India were to increase by 1% of the population, Bible League would be confronted by a need for over 10 million Bibles. Your support will greatly help Indians meet Jesus through God’s Word. Provide Scriptures for India now.